In the last year, only 50% of youth aged 8-15 received mental healthcare services. Untreated mental disorders can become more severe, making treatment more difficult. Untreated children are at a greater risk of developing mental illness.
Parents may not be able to detect mental illness in their children. Many children who would benefit from treatment do not receive it. Learn how to help your child by learning the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
What is mental illness?
Mental health is a state of well-being that includes how you feel, think and act. Mental illness is also known as a mental disorder. Patterns or changes in feeling, thinking or behavior can cause distress or interfere with the ability to act.
Most often, mental health conditions in kids are defined by delays or changes in behavior, thinking, social skills, or emotional control. These problems are distressing to children. Mental health problems can affect a child’s ability to behave well at school, home or other social settings.
Barriers to the treatment of childhood mental disorders
Mental health problems in children can be difficult to detect because normal childhood development is a change-driven process. The symptoms of a mental health condition can also depend on the child’s age. Children may not have the ability to explain their feelings or why they behave in a particular way.
Parents may be hesitant to seek treatment for their child if they suspect that he or she has a mental disorder. Parents may have concerns about stigma associated with mental illness, use of medications, cost of treatment, or difficulties getting help.
Common mental disorders among children
Children with mental disorders may suffer from the following conditions:
- Anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are excessive fears or worries in children that are difficult to control. These fears interfere with children’s abilities to play, attend school or engage in social activities. Diagnoses include generalized anxiety, social anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anxiety disorders can be caused by the death of a sibling or loved one.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD are more active than other children their age and have difficulty paying attention. They also act on impulse.
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that usually appears during early childhood and often before the age of 3. The severity of ASD varies. Children with ASD have difficulty communicating and interacting with others. If your child is on the spectrum, you should make an appointment with a child autism treatment specialist.
- Eating disorders. Eating disorders include unhealthy eating habits, a disordered view of weight loss and an unhealthy body image. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, can make it difficult to behave socially and emotionally. They can also cause serious physical complications.
- Depression and mood disorders. Depression is characterized by feelings of sadness and low mood or irritation, as well as a loss of interest in normal activities. They can make it difficult for a child to be able to interact with other people and do well at school. Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings that range from depression to extreme emotional or behavior highs. These highs may lead to dangerous or risky actions.
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can be characterized by long-term anxiety, fear, frightening memories, nightmares, and acting out. It is a response to abuse, violence, or trauma that a child may have experienced or been exposed to. If left untreated, PTSD can lead to drug addiction in adulthood.
- Schizophrenia. A disorder of perceptions and thought is schizophrenia. Psychosis, or schizophrenia, is a condition that causes people to lose their connection with reality. Most often, it begins in late teens or early 20s. Hallucinations, or the perception of things that aren’t real, can be caused by schizophrenia. It can also cause strange thoughts and behaviors.
What are the signs and symptoms of mental illness among children?
There are several warning signs that your child might have a mental disorder.
- Two or more weeks of sadness is considered sad.
- Social changes or a change in how you behave with others.
- Talking about or hurting yourself.
- Discussing death or suicide is not acceptable.
- Outbursts, being moody or angry.
- Uncontrolled behavior can be harmful.
- Changes in mood, personality or behavior.
- Changes in eating habits
- Weight loss is a common problem.
- Sleeping problems.
- You may experience frequent headaches or stomach aches.
- Problems concentrating.
- What to do if you’re not doing well in school?
- Why you should not go to school
What should I do when I suspect my child may have a mental illness?
Consult your child’s health care professional if you are concerned about the mental health of your child. Describe any behaviors that worry you. Ask your child’s teachers, friends, family members, or other caregivers if they have noticed any changes in their child’s behavior. This information should be shared with your child’s health care professional.
How do health professionals diagnose mental illness among children?
Children’s mental health disorders are diagnosed and treated according to their symptoms and the way they affect a child in daily life. Your child’s health care professional may suggest that you take your child to a specialist for a diagnosis. It could be a psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical social worker or psychiatric nursing practitioner. A specialist may include:
- Complete a medical examination
- Medical History
- Traumas: physical or mental
- Family history of mental and physical health
- Parents should discuss symptoms and concerns
- The timeline shows the progress of the child
- History of school
- Discussing parenting with your parents
- Watching the child’s behavior and talking to them
- Tests and questionnaires on mental health for children and parents
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders can be used by healthcare professionals. The DSM, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is a guide. The DSM provides a way to diagnose based on symptoms. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases is another diagnostic guideline.
It can take some time to diagnose mental illness in children. Children may not be able to express their feelings. The maturation of children varies. Over time, a healthcare professional might adjust or change a diagnosis.
Treatment options for mental illness in children
Treatments for mental illness in children include:
- Psychotherapy. Talk therapy and behavior therapy are other names for psychotherapy. It involves talking to a mental health professional or psychologist. Psychotherapy with young children may include games or playtime. Children and teenagers learn to manage and talk about their thoughts and emotions during psychotherapy. They are taught new behaviors and coping techniques.
- Medicines. As part of your child’s treatment plan, a mental health or healthcare professional may recommend a medicine. The medicine could be an antidepressant or antianxiety medication, antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, antipsychotic, stimulant, etc. Most often, the healthcare professional will review the expected benefits, potential risks and side effects.
How can I help my children cope with mental illness
You can play an important role in the treatment plan for your child. Take care of yourself and your children:
- Learn more about the disease.
- Consider family counseling, which treats all members of the family as partners in treatment.
- You can ask your child’s mental healthcare professional for advice about how to handle your child when he or she is displaying difficult behavior.
- Join parent-training programs for parents of kids with mental illnesses.
- Find ways to deal with stress and respond calmly.
- Find ways to relax with your child and enjoy fun activities.
- Your child’s strengths should be praised.
- You can help your child by working with the school.
